BowTie Overdrives opinions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lated · 10-28-2007, 10:28 PM

Looking for any opinions of BTO trannys, good or bad. I'm thinking about buying a Stage II 700R4.

franks72 · 10-28-2007, 11:11 PM

I've never herd of that company but have always used ATI in balt ,md.

powell72 · 10-29-2007, 12:34 AM

I don't have one of their trannys, but I am using there lock up kit and tvmadeez kit and it works well and is very high quality.

Raguemoe · 10-29-2007, 01:29 AM

I have the stage II in my 55 Belair. It has a 427 big block and never had a problem (going on 3 yrs).

hvychve · 10-29-2007, 03:17 AM

Thats funny, I just purchased the level 2 from BTO, I got sick and tired of trying to make my 700R4 work, I had bought their braided tv cable , set it every which way but loose, anyway, to make a long story shorter, I did alot of discussing with Chris, (manager at BTO) before giving the cash for a job I thought could have been better, I informed them I just wanted it right. I bet I said that half a dozen times, I dropped off my truck and said time is no factor, keep it as long as you need, a week later I got a bill and was told to pick up, first off, they charge $400 to R/R trans, ok no prob, a tad high , but I want it right, remember, than I had a surprise of a new crossmember thrown at me, its tubular and cool looking but only mounts on top of frame and not top and bottom of frame, ok, no prob, I infromed I was to keep all parts, I had to return to Hesperia ( I live in orange county cali) it shifted way too hard, had a bad tranny leak, and wasnt greeted with much enthusiasm, I felt they were doing me a favor or somthing, and I did business with them online, but when I saw there shop, I was floored, filthy dirty , I couldnt believe it.
I now have a level two, with a firm very firm shift, new cross member , trans temp gauge and about $2000 poorer, I guess thats not too too bad, but I had a working tranny, was hoping for a little bit more, I also opted for the lockup in 2nd and 3rd for towing purposes, I also recomend tranny cooler and deffinately a trans temp gauge to monitor temp, never let reach or stay at 200 degrees , so gauge was a bonus, good luck in your decisions...

Pitts1e · 10-29-2007, 04:04 AM

I bought their 700R tv cable kit. Nice kit, well engineered and good quality stuff. A little on the pricey side but I did want to take any chances. The bad part was that it took them 3 shipments to get the order right!! I live overseas so it took in total 3 months and many phone calls to a less than stellar phone receptionist. Would I order it again....Yes. But just make sure you speak sloooowly and have them send an e-mail to confirm the order to make sure its right.

smbrouss70 · 10-29-2007, 02:14 PM

I have their level II in my 70 swb. It has 3 years and about 25,000 hard miles on it and no problems, except for a leaking speedo gear housing. I think that my speedo cable is too short and putting tension on the housing, so it's kinda my fault.

**Smitty** · 10-29-2007, 03:40 PM

I've had one for years and did the install myself. I'm just running a 60 over 350 and haven't had any problems.

Longhorn Man · 10-29-2007, 11:59 PM

I have heard very few complaints on there product, a few complaints on turn around time.
There TV kit is the best on the market though. If you don't get there tranny, I highly recomend there TV cable kit.

c10addict · 10-30-2007, 12:50 AM

Dont know what those trannys cost but I know for a fact Gear Vendors Overdrives work great and will hold up to as much as you can throw at it!! My friend won just Hot Rod Drag week running 7.70 ets and drove the car over 1000 miles pulling a trailer in 5 days !! the gear vendor worked awesome! heres a few pics...

Lated · 10-30-2007, 01:16 AM

I've looked into a Gear Vendors but they don't make one that works with my 3 on the tree.

powell72 · 10-30-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c10addict

Dont know what those trannys cost but I know for a fact Gear Vendors Overdrives work great and will hold up to as much as you can throw at it!! My friend won just Hot Rod Drag week running 7.70 ets and drove the car over 1000 miles pulling a trailer in 5 days !! the gear vendor worked awesome! heres a few pics...

Gear Vendors are definitely the way to go if you've got the coin.

**70cst** · 10-30-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powell72

Gear Vendors are definitely the way to go if you've got the coin.

I am looking at Gear Vendors for my 400 when I do my resto this winter but it does look a little pricy.

View Poll Results: BowTie Overdrives
Good company, I'd buy from them.	12	100.00%
Danger, Danger! Stay away!	0	0%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

10-28-2007, 10:28 PM	#1
Lated Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 255	BowTie Overdrives opinions Looking for any opinions of BTO trannys, good or bad. I'm thinking about buying a Stage II 700R4. __________________ “If you don’t have time to do it right now, how will you ever find time to fix it.” - author unknown '70 SWB Step-Side (More rust than metal)

10-28-2007, 11:11 PM	#2
franks72 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wilmington DE Posts: 218	Re: BowTie Overdrives opinions I've never herd of that company but have always used ATI in balt ,md.

10-29-2007, 12:34 AM	#3
powell72 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Loveland Co. Posts: 3,098	Re: BowTie Overdrives opinions I don't have one of their trannys, but I am using there lock up kit and tvmadeez kit and it works well and is very high quality. __________________ Chris 74 Custom Deluxe SWB 350/350/3.73’s 99 2wd Silverado RCSB 5.3/4L60/3.90’s http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...short_bed.html

10-29-2007, 01:29 AM	#4
Raguemoe Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Highland CA Posts: 742	Re: BowTie Overdrives opinions I have the stage II in my 55 Belair. It has a 427 big block and never had a problem (going on 3 yrs).

10-29-2007, 03:17 AM	#5
hvychve To The Levy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: california Posts: 391	Re: BowTie Overdrives opinions Thats funny, I just purchased the level 2 from BTO, I got sick and tired of trying to make my 700R4 work, I had bought their braided tv cable , set it every which way but loose, anyway, to make a long story shorter, I did alot of discussing with Chris, (manager at BTO) before giving the cash for a job I thought could have been better, I informed them I just wanted it right. I bet I said that half a dozen times, I dropped off my truck and said time is no factor, keep it as long as you need, a week later I got a bill and was told to pick up, first off, they charge $400 to R/R trans, ok no prob, a tad high , but I want it right, remember, than I had a surprise of a new crossmember thrown at me, its tubular and cool looking but only mounts on top of frame and not top and bottom of frame, ok, no prob, I infromed I was to keep all parts, I had to return to Hesperia ( I live in orange county cali) it shifted way too hard, had a bad tranny leak, and wasnt greeted with much enthusiasm, I felt they were doing me a favor or somthing, and I did business with them online, but when I saw there shop, I was floored, filthy dirty , I couldnt believe it. I now have a level two, with a firm very firm shift, new cross member , trans temp gauge and about $2000 poorer, I guess thats not too too bad, but I had a working tranny, was hoping for a little bit more, I also opted for the lockup in 2nd and 3rd for towing purposes, I also recomend tranny cooler and deffinately a trans temp gauge to monitor temp, never let reach or stay at 200 degrees , so gauge was a bonus, good luck in your decisions...

10-29-2007, 04:04 AM	#6
Pitts1e Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 11	Re: BowTie Overdrives opinions I bought their 700R tv cable kit. Nice kit, well engineered and good quality stuff. A little on the pricey side but I did want to take any chances. The bad part was that it took them 3 shipments to get the order right!! I live overseas so it took in total 3 months and many phone calls to a less than stellar phone receptionist. Would I order it again....Yes. But just make sure you speak sloooowly and have them send an e-mail to confirm the order to make sure its right. __________________ Will this thing ever get done!!

10-29-2007, 02:14 PM	#7
smbrouss70 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rayne, LA Posts: 2,782	Re: BowTie Overdrives opinions I have their level II in my 70 swb. It has 3 years and about 25,000 hard miles on it and no problems, except for a leaking speedo gear housing. I think that my speedo cable is too short and putting tension on the housing, so it's kinda my fault. __________________ Steven "If dogs don't go to heaven, when I die I want to go wherever they went." -- Will Rogers R.I.P. Oscar R.I.P. Ratchet 1967 Pontiac GTO - Dad was the Original Owner 1970 Chevy 2wd SWB "Oscar's Truck" 1970 Chevy 2wd Blazer "Ratchet's Blazer" 2013 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax/Allison Z71 LTZ "Brown Sugar" 2017 Chevy Suburban "BDB" 2020 Chevy Blazer Premier "Foxy" Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Shop Build

10-29-2007, 03:40 PM	#8
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Spring Valley, Ca. Posts: 1,111	Re: BowTie Overdrives opinions I've had one for years and did the install myself. I'm just running a 60 over 350 and haven't had any problems. __________________ Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca.

10-29-2007, 11:59 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: BowTie Overdrives opinions I have heard very few complaints on there product, a few complaints on turn around time. There TV kit is the best on the market though. If you don't get there tranny, I highly recomend there TV cable kit.

10-30-2007, 12:50 AM	#10
c10addict Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: pittsburgh pa Posts: 1,970	Re: BowTie Overdrives opinions Dont know what those trannys cost but I know for a fact Gear Vendors Overdrives work great and will hold up to as much as you can throw at it!! My friend won just Hot Rod Drag week running 7.70 ets and drove the car over 1000 miles pulling a trailer in 5 days !! the gear vendor worked awesome! heres a few pics... Attached Images __________________ 68 C10 Shorty TPI,Bagged, and all the good stuff. Classic trucks feature June 06, On the cover of Jegs Christmas Catalog 08 67 C10 Shorty Shop truck project Bagged and Z'd under destruction and getting nowhere fast. 64 C10 Shop Truck/Daily driver, Bagged, Dropmember, SOLD!!!! Gone but not forgotten.. 54 GMC under the knife getting a S10 chassis swap and bagged. See my build thread... 07 GMC Sierra 5/7 drop, 22's and 24's Air ride on my mind.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=339340 See pics of my trucks in my profile

10-30-2007, 01:16 AM	#11
Lated Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 255	Re: BowTie Overdrives opinions I've looked into a Gear Vendors but they don't make one that works with my 3 on the tree. __________________ “If you don’t have time to do it right now, how will you ever find time to fix it.” - author unknown '70 SWB Step-Side (More rust than metal)



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